Jump! Duck! Run! 2019

Blog, Event

Today was the 2019 running of the Jump! Duck! Run! dog & owner obstacle course.

While I was out photographing the course, a couple of people asked me if they could buy prints from the event. I don’t do that standard race photo package that you might get at a marathon.

So here’s the deal:
Any of today’s images printed as an 8×10 (without the watermark) for $35+HST.
Included in that $35 are both a $10 donation to AROO and a $10 donation to Sit With Me, as well as shipping and handling.

Yes, $20 from each print sold will be donated to the rescues. The rest pretty much just covers my material and shipping costs.

This is a limited time offer, orders MUST be in before midnight June 31st.

Anyone who wants to place an order can contact me at matt@krull.ca

Full album can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/krullca/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2357901717762148

 

This seems like a good time to name drop…

Blog

This past May I attended the PPOC Conference in Richmond BC. One of the presenters was Kaylee Greer of Dog Breath Photography (Instagram Facebook).

She stood at the head of the room dressed as the adorable ambassador for primary colors; bright red hair, deep blue coveralls, and striking yellow rubber boots, each the colour of a kid’s crayon. While talking about why it is she photographs dogs, she let her guard down and let slip a bit of honesty (that’s not true, she doesn’t bother to guard her words, she’s as open and honest as the dogs she photographs) and said “I can’t think of anything more boring than doing corporate event photography. Wait, there aren’t any event photographers in here are there?” to which I raise my hand. “I’m so sorry; I’ll give you a hug later!”

The next day, while she and her partner Sam had lunch with a few of us, I teased her about the event photography comment; she was suitably mortified and gave me a hug. I’m still not 100% certain whether the apology was for saying mean things about event photography, or condolences for shooting events.

If you ever get the chance to see her in person, I highly recommend that you do. She and Sam are thoroughly loveable people filled with live, love, and energy.

The more accessible way to see her though, is on her new TV show Pupparazzi, which premiered last week on Nat Geo Wild TV. The first episode is streaming on the Nat Geo Wild website. I’d love to tell you if it is any good or not, but it is currently geo-blocked in Canada. The best I can do is find this trailer on Facebook. If anyone knows how I can watch it legally in Canada, please leave a comment!

After Kaylee’s talk, I was really inspired to get back into rescue dog photography (something I did a bit of years ago, but haven’t done in a long long time). I promised Kaylee, Sam, and a half dozen other people that I would get back on it. I’m ashamed to say that after 5 months, I still haven’t shot a single puppy portrait. I’ve contacted two local rescues, but haven’t managed to get anything lined up. So, if you know of a rescue in the Ottawa region looking for some photography to help their pups find forever homes, please have them e-mail me. I’d really appreciate it.

Oh, and the photo up there: That’s Walter, he’s not looking for a forever home, but he is adorable.

A big advantage to small sensors

Blog

Every now and then someone asks why I shoot micro four thirds (a smaller sensor size) now that Sony has full frame (bigger sensor) mirrorless cameras. The answer is the lenses. Because a micro four thirds sensor is one quarter the area of a full frame sensor, the lens only needs to cast light onto one quarter the area. This allows for much smaller and lighter lens designs.
Sony and Panasonic have both recently announced 400mm equivalent f2.8 prime lenses. Both are serious sports and wildlife lenses capable of ultra fast auto focus, super shallow depth of field, and working in low light. While the Sony works better in really low light, in the majority of cases (day light or stadium lighting) most people would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the final images. Yet the Panasonic lens costs $3,000US and weighs 1.2kg while the Sony costs $12,000 and weighs in at 2.9kg.

Panasonic 200mm f2.8 vs Sony 400mm f2.8, image courtesy of camerasize.com

If I was shooting the Olympics or the NFL, I might consider the Sony, but for everything else, it’s micro four thirds for me.

Jump! Duck! Run! 2018

Blog, Event

Jump! Duck! Run! is an Ottawa area event where dogs and their owners run an obstacle course. Think Tough Mudder, but cuddlier. This year’s event supported two local rescue organizations: Sit With Me and Aussie Rescue Ontario.

I spent the day out on the course photographing the participants. What a great day! So many adorable dogs looking so darned happy.

Oh, and a big Thank You to Dogz Canine Sports Centre for hosting the event!

Touch A Truck 2018

Blog, Event

For the second year in a row I had the immense pleasure of photographing Mothercraft Ottawa‘s Touch A Truck event. Hundreds of families marvelled at, crawled all over, and honked the horns of a wide variety of trucks brought in to support the charity. City Services, Construction, Logistics, Military, Public Safety, and more than a few recreational vehicles showed up to show off and bring the joy of big machines to little kids.